Week 1-11, we pick every high school football game of the week

Every fall, I get a few emails from snowbirds asking which local football games they should frequent.

I could simply point them in the direction of our previously published 2024 high school football schedules for the Emerald Coast, but instead I ask how long they'll be here. That way I can give them a Game of the Week for that duration.

Several factors loom large when choosing the Game of the Week.

For instance, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better home crowd, student section or band than Niceville. It's a playoff football atmosphere every week. Jack Foster Stadium, too, is known for the best concessions (BBQ sandwiches and boiled peanuts? Yes, please.) and a fiery student section, while Baker offers a taste of the South with Gator Cafe outside Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium and state banners to boot.

Choctaw is a proven winner under Frank Beasley and is a must-cover late in the season, while independent Destin vaults up the ranks with last year's 7-3 campaign and has a couple of massive games against area programs. Meanwhile Fort Walton Beach is on the rise at 5-5 with a gulf view from the top of the Steve Riggs Stadium, and the District 1-2A slate will have Freeport, South Walton and Walton playing locally in big games with far-reaching implications.

As it stands now, this list is where you'll find me every week this season. Circle these regular-season games.

Area Football: 2024 high school schedules for the Emerald Coast

Ivy League commitment: South Walton senior set to play football at Columbia

Game of the Week

Week 1 (Aug. 23)

Niceville vs. South Sumter, 7 p.m. at Eagle Stadium

5A Niceville is coming off a 9-3, Sweet 16 campaign. 3A South Sumter is fresh off an 11-2, Elite 8 appearance. The season-opener at Eagle Stadium will look more like a Final 4 game in late November. Expect a crowd of around 7,000 or so.

Week 2

South Walton at Fort Walton Beach, 7 p.m. at Steve Riggs Stadium

Based on the previous two matchups, this could be a fun one. South Walton drew first blood with a 17-10 win two years ago at Steve Riggs Stadium. Fort Walton answered with a 28-13 victory last year at the Hawk's Nest. Yeah, Fort Walton will be favored, but Phil Tisa's crew will come prepared.

Week 3 (Sept. 6)

Choctaw vs. Crestview, 7 p.m. at Joe Etheredge Stadium

Two of the last three years have provided instant classics, Choctaw winning 16-13 in 2021 and 35-34 in 2022. Last year, Cole Tabb broke the school rushing record with 365 yards and four scores in a 49-27 win. Okaloosa bragging rights will be on the line.

Week 4 (Sept. 13)

Crestview vs. Niceville, 7 p.m. at Jack Foster Stadium

While the rivals may in different classes now, the bad blood remains. Niceville holds a 6-5 record in the last 11 matchups, while the Bulldogs have bounced the Eagles from the postseason twice during that stretch. I'm curious to see what the Dawg House student section will deliver in this one, T-shirts included.

Week 5 (Sept. 20)

Choctaw vs. Niceville, 7 p.m. at Joe Etheredge Stadium

Table the fact that Niceville has won 12 straight against Choctaw and 19 of the last 20 meetings. Choctaw has been the last postseason team standing two straight years, which carries a ton of respect. But can the Big Green compete with the Eagles? That remains the question.

Week 6 (Sept. 27)

South Walton at Walton, 7 p.m. at Yates Memorial Stadium

This rivalry is all about win streaks. South Walton didn't get its first win against Walton until 2016 and then reeled off three straight. Walton has answered currently with three straight of its own, making the rivals deadlocked at 5-5 in their last 10 matchups. Now the two are housed in District 1-2A together alongside Freeport and Pensacola Catholic. This game will have major playoff implications and bragging rights.

Week 7 (Oct. 4)

South Walton at Choctaw, 7 p.m. at Joe Etheredge Stadium

Well, credit South Walton for playing up (Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton and Choctaw come to mind). Add in Walton, Pensacola Catholic and FSU and it's a brutal schedule. But playing the likes of Choctaw, which beat the Seahawks 66-30 last year, will only give them a dose of where they need to be come November.

Week 8 (Oct. 11)

Niceville at Mosley, 7 p.m.

The Eagles were denied a district title last year after a 29-28 defeat to Mosley, who survived a missed field goal in the closing seconds that appeared to sneak just inside the uprights. Regardless, Niceville didn't bring its A-game and will look for retribution in the must-see District 1-5A tilt.

Week 9 (Oct. 18)

Baker at Freeport, 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium

Matt Brunson is back. And Freeport, who is being thrown into the District 1-2A fire of three district champion powerhouses, is making coaching moves and growing. This'll be a good test for both programs.

Week 10 (Oct. 25)

FWB at Choctaw, 7 p.m. at Joe Etheredge Stadium

Ah, "The Game." Choctaw's three-game win streak has extended the Big Green's record to 31-22 against Fort Walton in the Panhandle's oldest rivalry. Fort Walton's rise to .500 last year did little to change that, the Vikings losing 41-0. Regardless, circle this game.

Week 11 (Nov. 1)

Niceville at Navarre, 7:30 p.m. at Douglas Memorial Stadium

Despite Navarre in 6A and Niceville in 5A, the regular-season finale will be a barometer for the postseason and carry postseason implications. Niceville has won four straight in the rivalry, and adding a layer to the hype surrounding the game is former Raiders Eddie Love Jr. and Connor Mathews will share the backfield for the Eagles.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Week 1-11, we pick every high school football game of the week